Pupils at Welsh primary schools gathered with First Minister Carwyn Jones to reveal personal messages to world leaders coming to Wales for Nato summit

School children from across Wales have made postcards to give to the world leaders at this year's NATO Summit. They were pictured with First Minister Carwyn Jones outside the Senedd yesterday

Primary school children from across Wales have sent messages of hope to world leaders as the world descends on South Wales for the start of the Nato summit.

A total of 30 nine and ten-year-old children gathered outside the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay, alongside First Minister Carwyn Jones, to reveal their individual messages to world leaders as they arrive for the crucial summit at Celtic Manor in Newport.

The children are from Ysgol Pencae in Cardiff, Mount Pleasant Primary School and Pillgwenlly Primary School in Newport, Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, Ysgol yr Hendre in Caernarfon and Adran yr Urdd Treuddyn in Flintshire.

Five of the children will personally deliver the postcards on behalf of their schools , attending a reception hosted by the Prince of Wales at the Celtic Manor on the first day of the summit.

The bilingual postcards included messages calling for end to conflicts, tolerance of people in different faiths and for work to alleviate poverty and hunger in answer to the question “what would you like to have changed in the world by the time you are adults?”

It comes amid growing excitement as the Nato summit kicks off amid an unprecedented police presence, with leaders including US President Barack Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande due to arrive.

Messages included one from Natalie Hamlin, 10, from Ysgol Pencae Cardiff, who wished for: “not just my family to be happy and safe, but for everyone else’s too” and Kian Wyn Thomas, also 10, from Ysgol Yr Hendre in Caernarfon, who said: “when I am grown up I hope that everyone is treated equally, whatever the colour of their skin.”

Isaac Reuben, 10, from Pillgwenlly Primary in Newport, had a message to end war to stop the destruction of the environment – and said he wanted Barack Obama to take note of his call.

“Because he is President he can try and talk some sense,” he said. “He can do what he wants to do.”

He added: “I have noticed police are all around. Some of them have guns – it’s a bit scary, but we did get a picture around the water.”

Another Pillgwennlly Primary pupil, Safaa Hussain, 10, said she wanted an end to violence and for everyone to feel safe in their own homes. But she had a different audience in mind.

“I think I’d most like my message to be heard by The Queen,” she said. “Because she’s a woman so the Queen would understand.”

Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency

Natalia Hamlin, aged 10, and Mia Thomas, aged 10 from Ysgol Pencae, Cardiff with their messages to NATO world leaders

Gareth James, acting headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, said the school “jumped at the chance” as many pupils as young as 10 were often underestimated on how much they understood about the world around them.

“They have very strong ideas about what they like their futures to be like,” he said.

“Most of the messages they wrote were about peace, about helping each other and helping the less fortunate and caring for everyone no matter the nationality or background. I think we do underestimate these kids.”

Carwyn Jones, who had already defended the huge security presence that had sprung up in Cardiff and Newport ahead of the meeting, said the scale of the event showed how far Wales had come since devolution.

“It will raise Wales’ profile. That’s the important thing as far as we’re concerned this week. We then have to build on that, to attract more tourism into Wales and of course we have an investment ocnference that will take place in Nov, with a view to building on the work that will be done over the course of this week.”

He added: “We’ve come a long way over the last 15 years. Let’s face it: We would never have held an event like this. We wouldn’t have had a facility like the Celtic Manor. But Wales wasn’t on the radar. That has changed over the last 15 years.

“The fact we have a serving US President coming is great news for Wales and I look forward to welcoming him to Wales, on behalf of the people of Wales, tomorrow.”

Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said: “The Nato Summit in Newport is a huge and historic opportunity for Wales to be seen on the global stage.

“I’m delighted that our children and young people are being given the chance to get involved and have their voices heard by some of the world’s most influential leaders and heads of state.”

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